The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1887-12-08
How the War Closed.

. How the War Closed.
The man who claims to have order
ed the last shot fired on the confeder-
ate side during the late unpleasant
ness is Mr.. "A. B. Faircloth of Camilla,
Ca, a gentleman as modest as he is
brave, says the Greensboro Herald.
The incident was told us by Capt. D.
Fl. Sanders, an old comrade in arms
OF Mr.. Faircloth, and forms a unique
feature in the unwritten history OF the
great struggle. Mr.. Faircloth belong
ed to Company G, I'd Georgia cavalry.
This regiment was for some time as
sociated with Terry's famous Texas
rangers, whose exploits are among
the most highly-plized traditions OF
the var The intimacy that grew UP
between these two commands was
very close and tender, and remained
unbroken to the end. A ranger would
succor a I'd Georgia c%avalryman in
distress as quick as he would his own
brother. They fought together, and
together went on many a wilt, adven-
turous aid.
Lee had surrendered. Johnston had
surrendered. Only Kirby Smith re-
manned at the head of armed resist
ance. The c~onfederacy was in it's
death throes. Wheeler deter mined not
to surrender his men, but to force
his way across the. country to join
Smith west OF the Mississippi. To this
end he procured the removal of his
command from Johnston's army, and
started upon one of the most hazard
GUS retreats IN the annals of war;
While everywhere confederate troops
were grounding their arms, taking the
oath of allegiance to the United States
government, and returning to their
homes, this little band under their
gallant leader refused to lower the
stars and bars.
Wheeler's bold movement was kept
a profound secret, known only to his
own men and Gen. Johnston. All
thought that the war was over. The
tederals came freely into the lines of
their late foes, and there was a gener-
al intermingling of the ''blue and
gray" 1t fell to the lot Of
company G to guard Wheeler's
rear. A barrel OF brandy was discov.
cred just inside the reserve picketline,
and these old veterans, with true SOL
dierly instinct, soon tapped it and
were fast getting into a hilarious con-
dition. The lieutenant in command
of the picket guards was in a short
time unable to distinguish a confeder-
ate from "Yank," and was relieved
by MI. Faircloth, the orderly sergeant.
The aroma of that brandy was watt
ed to.the olfactories OF the union sol
diers, and soon a troop of cavalry
was seer coming at a headlong charge
upon that barrel. Sergt. Faircloth
obeyed the order OF his chief, and the
dashing squadron was received with q
volley from their picket-line. They
were .dumbtounded. and without re-
turning the fire showed q white flag.
The sergeant advanced to parley with.
the bearer OF the has OF truce.
What the deuce did you fire for?
Don't you know the war is over?"
This was jerked out by thespokesman
on the other side.
II obeyed orders" calmly replied
the sergeant. mo troops can pass
"But, man, Johnston has surren.
dered, and the war is. over. Come, let
us pass; we want to taste that brandy
over there"
81 must carry out my ORDERS"
stcutly maintained Sergt. Faircloth,
tsand if your men advance they will
be fired upon. But" he added, II am
expecting orders calling in my men
every minute, and il you, will wait
perhaps you ma get 9 drop OF the
Strange to say the troop waited,
and the order came. Then there was
a grand rush for the barrel-when
.Johnny Reb" and ..Yank'' got on a
drunk together.
This was the last shot fred in the
late war, and the incident, now pub.
lisked for the first time, will, be read
with interest by those who partici-
pateds in the novel scene, as well as
the general public. To complete the
story it only remains to tell that, act
ing under the advice of Johnston,
Wheeler gave over his daring attempt,
and, turning over his men to the bri.
gade, regimental, and company com.
manders to. act as they saw fit, gath
cred about him q few bold spirits, and
started to join the head OF the con-
federacy in his effort to escape his pur,
suers.